Difference Between Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Uganda

Often referred to as the ultimate bucket-list experience for African safaris, meeting face to face with the adorable and endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats within Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo is something that you should never miss.

Much as mountain gorillas are found in these three countries, most gorilla treks are undertaken within Uganda and Rwanda. However, it is challenging to trek these Giant Apes within the two countries (for a number of reasons including a budget, time and personal interests) and therefore we bring you the differences between gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda and the task of deciding being entirely on you.

Value for money (Cost of Gorilla Trekking Permits)

The Government of Rwanda doubled the price of gorilla trekking permits in 2017 from $750 to $1500, with the hope of positioning the country as a “high-value low impact” tourist destination. In so doing, the country was focused on luxury visitors.

Uganda, on the other hand, increased gorilla permit prices by $100 in 2019, and now foreign non-resident tourists pay $700, the foreign resident tourists are charged $600 while the East African tourists’ prices remained at Shs. 250,000. Even with this increment, the country is still cheaper and for $1500 per person, travelers can instead book for the Gorilla habituation Experience that offers more time (four hours instead of one hour during standard gorilla treks) with mountain gorillas. If price is what to go by, then Uganda is the most favorable gorilla trekking destination.

The difficulty of gorilla treks

It is widely known that gorilla trekking is generally physically demanding, thus good to be prepared for it and some visitors have to be lifted on sedan chairs to successfully achieve their dreams of coming into close encounters with the Giant Apes in their natural habitat. These chairs are lifted by at least four able-bodied porters at a reasonable fee ($350 to $450). However, past travelers and experts who have experienced gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda believe the latter is easier and more accessible. The mountain gorillas of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park mainly occupy the bamboo zone of Virunga Mountain slopes hence the adventures here favor the elderly and other less active travelers.

In comparison, Uganda’s gorilla National Parks especially Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is more rugged, denser, and very mountainous thus participants should also be prepared for real challenging and longer gorilla treks. However, the Park is worthwhile if you are well prepared and what you need is moderate fitness levels.

Accessibility of Gorilla Parks

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda’s gorilla trekking destination is a two and a half to three-hour drive from Kigali City/or Airport via a smooth and well-maintained tarred road thus making it a perfect place for travelers with less time. For this reason, this Park is a wonderful add-on safari destination, and possible to book short tours such as one-day and two-day gorilla treks.

Uganda’s Gorilla Parks-Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks are not easily accessible with over 8-9 hours’ drive from Kampala/Entebbe via roads of varying conditions (tarred and gravel). For this, you will need a minimum of a 3-day gorilla trekking tour, although have a lot of beautiful stopovers and en-route destinations. Domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport and Kajjansi Airstrip take not more than 2 hours.

Places to lodge before and after gorilla treks

When it comes to places to lodge before and after gorilla treks, it becomes difficult to differentiate between Uganda and Rwanda because they all offer phenomenal sleeping options but the latter provides the highest upmarket lodging places such as Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Bishop’s House, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Virunga Lodge, to mention but a few.

While Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park also offers luxury accommodation facilities, their prices are relatively lower and these places are Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Camp, and many others.

Other activities to combine with Gorilla Trekking

Most travelers who book gorilla trekking tours combine with other safari activities/destinations to spice up their experiences. Rwanda has fewer options but with the existence of Akagera National Park, visitors have chances of seeing big five games among other interesting things while visitors to Nyungwe forest National Park provide opportunities for chimpanzee trekking and canopy walks.

Uganda on the other hand is a diverse hot spot with a small slice of everything visitors yearn for in Africa. If you wish to see chimpanzees then go to Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and Kalinzu forest while game viewing is provided in Lake Mburo, Kidepo Valley, Queen Elizabeth, and Murchison Falls National Parks.